MAISY

Nothing feels worse in the world then when the realization hits that an idea that seemed so good in the moment, was nothing more than a series of bad decisions.

When I wake up I immediately sense Logan before I open my eyes. He's all around me, from his scent clinging to the sheets, to his warm breath tickling the back of my neck. My heartbeat starts to pick up and the error of what I've just done slams into me like a brick wall. My body goes rigid in Logan's arms and I pray to all that's holy that he's not awake.

This'll go so much easier if he isn't awake.

I take the hand resting underneath mine and delicately peel it from my bare breast. My skin tingles as soon as it loses his warmth, and I frown, pushing the longing out of my head while ducking out from beneath his arm. He should be out of my system by now, but he isn't. I slide off the bed and lower his hand back down onto the mattress beside him.

Logan's still fast asleep. His dark lashes flutter and his brow furrows from his dreams. I know I'm awful for doing it like this, but it's time to say goodbye. His body tightens and then releases in peaceful relaxation and I physically ache in response. I don't want to leave. I want to crawl back into his bed and curl myself around him.

But instead I step away.

I search the floor for my clothes, find my jeans, and silently slip them on over my legs, reasoning with myself the whole time that this is for the best. My shirt is on the other side of the bed, so I tiptoe around it, trying not to make a sound. Logan rolls over as I bend down to pick it up and I suck in my breath and hold it, terrified that I'm making too much noise. I slip it on over my head before pulling my cell phone out of the back pocket of my jeans. I almost curse out loud when I find it dead again. It doesn't matter though; I can charge it in the car. I bend over and pick my bag up off the floor, forcing myself not to look back at him, but then his voice cuts through the silence.

"That's it then? You're just gonna disappear on me again?"

He's caught me.

I don't dare move. That wasn't supposed to happen. I force on a smile and twist back around, hating how Logan's looking at me. His eyes are narrowed in on me in accusation and he's furious. I know I should feel guilty about sneaking out, but I can't. It would've been for the best if he hadn't caught me. We finished what we started eight years ago; we didn't need the awkward goodbye.

"I just thought it'd be easier--"

"If what?" he growls, throwing off the sheets and standing naked before me. "If I just woke up and you were gone?"

My cheeks burn and I turn away from him. It might not have been easier for him, but it definitely would've been easier for me. I don't need the reminder of what we just did. I don't want to rehash the mistake we both made.

Logan stomps around the room and tugs his clothes on, but I don't even think about looking at him. Right now there's just about enough courage left in me to walk out that front door, and if I look at Logan there won't be.

"You're being ridiculous," he fumes. "I said I'd drive you."

I lift my head and catch him just as he's pulling his shirt over his. It's horrible of me, but I expected him to put up more of a fight, maybe even try to convince me to stay, especially after last night, but he doesn't. He doesn't look me in the eye either though as he walks over, takes my bag from my hand, and heads out the bedroom door. I stare at his back while he leaves and my heart breaks a little more. Maybe last night was different for Logan. Maybe he's put the past to rest.

I follow him downstairs and neither of us says anything while he drops my bag on the couch. I nervously glance over at the clock. I want to get as much road behind me as I can before it gets dark, but Logan doesn't realize that I'm in a hurry.

"Coffee?" he asks, walking into the kitchen and over to a complicated looking machine. I shake my head. Logan shrugs and begins preparing himself a pot. "Do you want anything else? Water maybe?"

"Logan, I really need to get going."

He stops what he's doing and turns to me. He looks tired and his eyes are heavy with pleading. "You're really going to do this?"

"I have to do this Logan." He doesn't understand and I can't make him, not without involving him in this mess, and that's the last thing I would ever do to Logan.

"Maisy, if you need help--" I cut him off before he can go any further.

"I don't need help; I need to go."

His eyes lock onto mine and I swear I can see the defeat in them. I look away. Last night didn't end things for Logan; it made them worse. Our relationship was put on hold eight years ago on that playground, and both of us were just waiting for fate to play her hand. Now we were left dealing with the consequences.

"Maisy, if you'll just tell me what's wrong--"

"You'll what?" I snap, releasing the frustration inside me. "You can't fix everything Logan! Some things are beyond fixing!"

My words echo in the open kitchen and he drops his head. This is why I wanted to sneak out. This was what I was hoping to avoid! I'm just about to turn and walk away when I hear the front door open and a woman call out Logan's name. My body goes heavy with apprehension and genuine panic anchors my feet to the ground.

I had forgotten about Dawn. Logan's girlfriend.

My pulse quickens in alarm but before I have time to look back at him, she comes swishing around the corner in a long tangerine sundress with her jet black hair swinging behind her in a thick braid. She has great big smile on, but it disappears when she sees me. I don't know what to do when Logan suddenly speaks up from behind me.

"Hey there." He sounds calm and this rattles me all the more. I'm not sure how he's planning to play this and I don't know how to act. Dawn's eyes skirt over me once more as she hesitantly walks past me and over to Logan.

"Hey there? Where the hell have you been? The kids and I were worried sick."

Kids? My stomach drops. Everything else around me goes silent and that word just echoes in my ears. I turn around slowly, certain the questions buzzing through my mind are written all over my face, but I don't care. He should have told me. Dawn wraps her arms around Logan's neck and kisses him on the cheek. Even though it's unfair of me, my insides twist with jealousy.

It was one night Maisy. It didn't mean anything. It was just something we had to finish, nothing more. I stand there, forced to witness the two of them. Logan's apologizing to her for not showing up somewhere and Dawn just laughs and tells him he better have a good excuse. They look so natural together that it just serves to remind me how out of place I am. I don't belong here. THIS is the kind of girl Logan deserves.

"Don't be rude Logan." Dawn smacks him on the shoulder and flashes a radiant smile up at him. She glances over to me and then back up to Logan. "Introduce us, you ass."

I can tell he's uncomfortable. He won't meet my eyes and that's a telltale sign. But I suppose being uncomfortable is warranted. It's not every day that you get to introduce the girl you just slept with to the mother of your children. Logan scrubs his hand over his face and then let's it run back through his hair. He shakes his head like he doesn't want to do this, but then finally clears his throat.

"Dawn, meet--"

"Maisy Jacobs!" Another voice cuts through the kitchen and I spin around. "Well, I'll be damned."

Author's Notes:

I'm sure many of you aren't surprised that Maisy decided to sneak out, but she sure was surprised to get caught. I can only imagine how poor Logan must've felt. Although Maisy does have a point; sneaking out would've been so much easier...especially now with Dawn's arrival. Any thoughts on Dawn? Ooh...or how about the new person who just walked in? Love to hear your feedback.

Please remember to vote and comment! Any shout outs and tweets about the story are also much appreciated! I'll see you guys back here next week.